Does a bill of sale need to be witnessed and notarized?

Most states do not require a notary to witness the signing of a bill of sale. However, by law, a notary public must witness both parties signing the document in Louisiana, Nebraska, Maryland, New Hampshire, West Virginia, and Montana. Notaries are optional in other states.

Still, it is recommended that you use a notary to witness the document regardless of your state. This will help prove the authenticity of the document if there is ever a dispute in the future. If the buyer and seller are in different locations and want to have the document notarized, they will each need to have it notarized separately.